The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
This fan-favorite travel card is now one of the best to use for groceries
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
December 29, 2020 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
During the pandemic, several cards introduced temporary grocery bonuses and statement credits to align with increased supermarket spending.
Some cards offer elevated rewards at supermarkets for a limited time, while others provide ongoing benefits for grocery purchases.
Temporary bonuses may be tied to new cardholder offers or specific timeframes, with some programs allowing points to be redeemed at higher rates for grocery purchases.
Warehouse clubs generally do not qualify as grocery stores for bonus rewards, but grocery delivery services may be eligible.
What to consider
Temporary grocery bonuses often have spending caps and expiration dates, so check terms before relying on these offers.
Not all merchants are coded as grocery stores, which can affect eligibility for bonus rewards—warehouse clubs are typically excluded.
Some programs allow points to be redeemed at higher values for groceries through specific redemption options, but this may not always match TPG's highest valuations as of June 2021.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of which cards and redemption strategies provide the most value for grocery spending during changing consumer habits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Earlier this year, an increase in grocery spending was one of the biggest shifts in consumer behavior during the coronavirus pandemic. Credit card issuers responded to these changing spending patterns with temporary grocery bonuses and statement credits.
While increased supermarket spending has leveled off, there are still several cards that are offering limited-time bonuses. And for those of us with an arsenal of cards to choose from, it can be overwhelming to figure out which card to use for grocery spending right now. Here is a breakdown of all the cards you should be using for grocery purchases.
Most valuable cards for groceries during the pandemic
With credit card companies scrambling to remain top-of-mind for cardholders, consumers can benefit when it comes to essential items like groceries. For instance, instead of putting that travel card in your sock drawer during a period of slower travel, card issuers would rather you use at least use it to buy the basics.
Using TPG's points valuations as a guide, here are my top picks for the best cards to use on groceries right now. In terms of criteria, this list includes cards that offer the following:
A temporary or permanent grocery bonus and the dates they are valid for
A mix of cash back, transferable, or specific airline or hotel points
Card
Grocery Bonus per dollar
Earning
TPG Valuation**
Temporary or permanent?
The Platinum Card® from American Express
10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Membership Rewards points
20 cents
Temporary, new cardholders only for first six months of card ownership
Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited
5x back on the first $12,000 spent at grocery stores in the first year (excluding Walmart and Target when not included as a 5% quarterly category for the Freedom Flex)
Cash back or Ultimate Rewards points
10 cents
Temporary, first year for new cardholders only
American Express® Gold Card
4x, up to $25,000 per calendar year (then 1x) at U.S. supermarkets
Membership Rewards points
8 cents
Permanent
Chase Sapphire Reserve
3x, up to $1,000 per month
Ultimate Rewards points
6 cents
Temporary, through April 30, 2021
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
6%, up to $6,000 per calendar year (then 1x) at U.S. supermarkets.
Cash back
Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits.
6 cents
Permanent
Amex EveryDay®
Preferred Credit Card from American Express^
3x, up to $6,000 per calendar year (then 1x) at U.S. supermarkets
Membership Rewards points
6 cents
Permanent
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
2x, up to $1,000 per month
Ultimate Rewards points
4 cents
Temporary, through April 30, 2021
^The information for the Amex EveryDay Preferred card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
**Bonus valuation based on TPG valuation and not provided by issuers.
As you can see, temporary bonus categories are part of the welcome offer or sign-up bonus for several cards listed above. (Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express currently has a two-tiered welcome offer.
First, you get a generous welcome offer: a sizable 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in your first six months of card membership. But the truly unique element of the offer is a bonus multiplier on non-travel items.
New cardholders will now be able to earn 10x points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets during the same first six months of card membership. That’s an additional 9x points on top of the 1x point you earn for these purchases.
(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
Chase’s Freedom credit cards — the Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Freedom Unlimited — are also among cards that are offering temporary bonus categories as part of the sign-up bonus. With either of these cards, you’ll earn $200 in cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus get 5% back on the first $12,000 spent at grocery stores in the first 12 months.
While typically reserved for premium travel and dining perks, Chase Sapphire Reserve gets high marks for groceries. With a temporary 3x bonus (up to $1,000 per month through April 30, 2021), this is a solid return for a card that already gets 3x on dining and travel.
Use your travel credit towards groceries
Now through June 30, 2021, gas and grocery spending will qualify for the Sapphire Reserve's $300 annual travel credit. Of course, this only pertains to you if you haven't used some or all of the credit yet (or don't plan on using it in 2021), but it is automatically applied for any future grocery or gas purchases.
Although travel is beginning to re-emerge this holiday season, this is a win for cardholders who may have questioned the value of this travel credit given the current environment.
Use Ultimate Rewards points to pay for groceries
Chase also launched "Pay Yourself Back," a program that allows you to redeem Ultimate Rewards points at an elevated rate to cover purchases on groceries, dining and home improvement through Sept. 30, 2021.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Each point is worth 1.5 cents
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Each point is worth 1.25 cents
You might notice that these are the same rates that are typically offered for purchases made on the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. With travel demand still low, Chase is now allowing you to use your points to offset everyday purchases, like groceries, at a higher rate.
While TPG values Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents apiece, there certainly are situations where redeeming at 1.25-1.5 cents a pop makes sense. If you have an abundance of points or simply want to minimize your living expenses, then redeeming your points toward a grocery haul can be worthwhile.
You won't get bonus points for grocery shopping in warehouse clubs such as Sam's Club. (Photo by Shutterstock)
None of the cards above will count warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club, B.J.'s) as grocery stores. However, the exception to this are grocery delivery services such as Instacart. If you use these services to order items from warehouse clubs, your purchases should be categorized as groceries.
These are some of the best cards to use for groceries in the midst of the pandemic. Before deciding which card to use, it's important to think about what rewards you value right now.
Do you feel optimistic about the future of travel and want to collect more points with a specific redemption in mind? Or would you rather earn transferable credit card points that offer flexible redemption options? Finally, straight cash back is another viable alternative, given the current environment.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
